daveg Posted February 7, 2020 Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 Hi the hood on my Herald convertible is very difficult to attach to the windscreen top rail as its too tight. Would it be practical to pack out slightly the fitting on the top of the windscreen header rail thus reducing the closing distance. Thanks Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekS Posted February 7, 2020 Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 Dave, I don't know if this will help but I find temperature has a lot to do with it, the one on my Spitfire can be a b****r to put up when it's cold. Standing out in the sun -even the winter sun- does help. Also, I do believe that they "shrink" slightly when not used for a while. Derek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveg Posted February 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 Thanks Derek. It seems to me that its the webbing which is causing the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy S Posted February 7, 2020 Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 Hi Dave, As a Stag owner, I’m only too familiar with hood issues. My old hood was very tight because it had shrunk. It was the original and the previous owner had not used it for years; preferring the hardtop. Anyway, I used to used 2 large trigger clamps to get it to cover those last few inches when closing. Hopefully as we get into spring and it warms up the hood will become easier to close. Andy S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 7, 2020 Report Share Posted February 7, 2020 6 hours ago, daveg said: Hi the hood on my Herald convertible is very difficult to attach to the windscreen top rail as its too tight. Would it be practical to pack out slightly the fitting on the top of the windscreen header rail thus reducing the closing distance. Thanks Dave No, as the hood header rail still has to go over the screen frame! You could undo the webbing off the back fixing where it attaches to the tub, it may help. Is it definitely just the webbing too tight? As a longer term solution, you could undo the hood off the frame, fit new webbing and re-attach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveg Posted February 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 On 07/02/2020 at 17:58, clive said: No, as the hood header rail still has to go over the screen frame! You could undo the webbing off the back fixing where it attaches to the tub, it may help. Is it definitely just the webbing too tight? As a longer term solution, you could undo the hood off the frame, fit new webbing and re-attach. You are of course quite correct Clive but the hood does overlap the windscreen slightly. I had not appreciated that the webbing could be undone at the back. I'll have a look. Ta Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveg Posted February 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 On 07/02/2020 at 17:51, Andy S said: Hi Dave, As a Stag owner, I’m only too familiar with hood issues. My old hood was very tight because it had shrunk. It was the original and the previous owner had not used it for years; preferring the hardtop. Anyway, I used to used 2 large trigger clamps to get it to cover those last few inches when closing. Hopefully as we get into spring and it warms up the hood will become easier to close. Andy S. Thanks Andy I have tried heating it up by leaving a fan heater running (safely) in the car whilst the hood was up for a couple of hours but it didn't ease it. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 I had a similar problem with 1500 Spitfire. I've got a standard hood which was hard closing in the winter. Also the popper by the door was very hard to locate and would always pop off if I caught it getting out of the car. I have since elongated the hood support holes on the frame so it sits 1/4" lower. This has made it much easier to close and the popper stays on, also the hood fits better around the window. Not sure how the Herald roof is constructed so may not be any help. Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy S Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 12 hours ago, daveg said: Thanks Andy I have tried heating it up by leaving a fan heater running (safely) in the car whilst the hood was up for a couple of hours but it didn't ease it. Dave Hi Dave, I was thinking in terms of weeks. The first few times would be very tough, hence why I used clamps. It will never be perfect, but will become easier. In my case, I got fed up of everyone telling me it shouldn’t be a problem and had a new frame and hood fitted. The hood had shrunk and the old frame was bent. Given the expense of a new hood, it’s worth trying a few suggests, especially as hood shrinkage is common to all convertibles. My only caveat would be that you avoid damaging the frame if it’s in good condition. Andy S 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveg Posted February 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Thanks to all. I'll leave it until we have some warmer weather. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 its known vinyl seems to shrink , but i wonder if this is down to it being used off the roll when its stretched being wound on and needs to be left to 'relax' before use , so its made to a pattern that decides to shrink in storeage and when you fit it its ...too small Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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